Top Of The Morning News: Thursday, May 17, 2012

Redistricting maps in Kansas could be decided in the federal courts. The Missouri Senate passes a tax credit Bill. It’s a daily digest of headlines form KCUR.

Kansas Redistricting Could Be Headed To Federal Court

Kansas lawmakers have failed to make much progress this session on drawing new legislative and congressional district maps. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is now asking a federal court to step in and take over the redistricting process. Kobach is submitting various maps that lawmakers have considered, but he says federal judges -- or even his office -- could draw additional maps. Read more here.

Missouri Senate Passes Tax Credit Bill

The Missouri Senate has passed a tax credit measure after hammering out an agreement between GOP leaders and fiscal conservatives who’ve been trying to reign in tax breaks for years.

The agreement would cap historic preservation tax credits at $75 million per year, give a one-year extension to food pantry and other charitable tax breaks, and create incentives to draw amateur sporting events to Missouri. Read more here.

Actress Goes From Topeka To Broadway In ‘Everyday Rapture’

This week's opening of the musical Everyday Rapture at the Unicorn Theatre marks the first time it has been staged anywhere outside New York City. The show's about an actress named Sherie Rene Scott and her journey from Topeka to New York - and it happened to be co-written and starred the real actress of the same name on Broadway, who now hands the role over to another actor. Find out more here.